Buni begs military to protect Yobe border communities

Policy House flays killing of three Greenfield students
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, is seeking special military intervention to protect Geidam and other border communities with Niger.

This is as Incentive-Based Programme (IBP) of Policy House International condemned the killing of three Greenfield University students by bandits in Kaduna State.

Boko Haram had attacked Geidam, 180 kilometres north of Damaturu, many times in the last five years. Houses, military and police posts were torched.

Other border communities the governor pencilled for protection include Yunusari, Yusufari and Machina northwest of Borno State.

Director-General for Press and Media to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, stated in Damaturu yesterday: “Buni sought special military intervention to safeguard Geidam and three other border communities.”

While commiserating with the people of Geidam over weekend’s attacks, he disclosed: “Efforts were being intensified to prevent incessant attacks on communities.”

According to him, the governor, since Saturday, had been liaising with security agencies to find lasting solution to attacks on the border communities.

“Military’s synergy with other security agencies could ensure lasting peace in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed to provide the victims with relief materials.

Lawan Shettima, representing Geidam/Yunusari/Bursari Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, also lamented that his people were at the mercy of Boko Haram since Friday’s attacks.

Geidam, according to him, is under the control of Boko Haram, despite the killing of 21 terrorists by soldiers Saturday.

In another development, the Executive Director of IBP, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, described the killing of the three students as heinous and unacceptable.

Twenty-three students were reportedly abducted from Greenfield University at Kasarami in Chikun Local Council last Tuesday night.

He called on security agencies and the government to rise to the challenge and deal with the elements threatening the stability of the country.

IBP had raised the alarm on kidnap of students in the country, which number hit 800 within the first quarter of 2021. Schools have been shut in parts of the north.

Akerele called on security operatives to fish out the killers.